How Does A Pitching Machine Work?

Working Mechanism

A pitching machine sends the ball spinning through a series of wheels and levers which simulates how a pitch is thrown in real life.

The realism of this pitch is what separates the good pitching machines from the great ones!

Design

There are two conventional designs of pitching machines:

Circular wheel machines

Arm action machines

Circular wheel machines move the ball through a series of one to three spinning wheels that pitch the ball.

They’re more flexible than arm-action machines (which imitate the actual way balls are thrown using a bracket, much like a human arm) and are able to simulate flyballs or groundballs.

Benefits Of Using A Pitching Machine

Of course, the main reason why you’d want to use a pitching machine is that you don’t need an actual pitcher to practice your swing.

Having a machine around to do it means that you can practice by yourself (in the case of automatic pitchers) or that the strain on your team pitcher is lessened (when it comes to team practice).

A pitching machine can also be a long-term investment for younger players that may need time to develop the hand-eye coordination required to hit the ball.

They often need a lot more training to get to a somewhat average batting rate, and pitching machines can help them get there without the usual strain required from having their coach hand-pitch the ball every time.

Pitching machines also outshine human pitchers in one aspect: consistency.

Pitchers can get tired after an extended period of training, which can be a problem if you’re practicing with an entire team.

A pitching machine can deliver the exact kind of pitch a human would throw without tiring, and can even adjust pitches on the fly!

Use In Little League Matches

In Little League matches or games that involve younger players, pitching machines are commonly used in game instead of the children pitching themselves.

They offer some consistency when it comes to throwing a solid pitch, and can be adjusted to take into account the skill of the batter.

Pitching Machine Buying Guide: What Makes A Good Pitching Machine?

When buying a pitching machine, there’s a couple of key factors that you should keep in mind.

Not all of them are created equal, and while we’ve certainly picked the best of the best in the following list, some of them work better in specific situations than others.

Pitch

Pitchers can throw at different rotations and speeds, and it’s essential to find a machine that can offer you some variety or else the trainee might develop some bad habits.

While Little League players can expect more or less the same kind of pitch each time, older players will have to deal with things like fastballs, curveballs, or even grounders.

Experience is the best teacher, and getting a pitching machine that can throw a variety of pitches can make all the difference in training.

Portability

Pitching machines come in all sorts of shapes and sizes—some can be lugged by hand, and others might need heavy lifting to transport.

The decision to get an especially portable pitching machine mainly depends on where you expect to get the most use out of it.

If you’re going to be bringing one out to an actual field, getting a portable one can be the most useful; but if you’re installing it in a batting cage, this becomes less of an issue.

Wheels

Wheels refer to the discs that the ball goes through when it gets pitched from a circular wheel pitching machine. They generally come in two types:

Solid pitching machine tires (much like the wheels you see on a lawnmower)

Generally, solid pitching wheels are much more preferable than air-filled ones. They can last longer, throw more consistently fast pitches, and can recover between throws twice as fast.

You also don’t need to worry about things like air pressure or flattening—which are the two common complaints when it comes to pneumatic wheels.

Weight

A pitching machine can weigh anywhere from 30 to 100-plus pounds.

You’ll need to account for that when it comes to bringing the machine around with you, as well as the vehicle you’ll be using to transport it.

Most vans and trailer trucks can comfortably lug around pitching equipment, but you may need more than one person to carry it.

Power System (Manual vs. Battery Powered)

Some pitching machines require electricity to operate, while others can be spring-loaded and don’t need things like generators to work.

Some of them have internal batteries that can run for a while before needing to be recharged, while others require a constant supply of power to operate.

Just remember when and where you’ll be using your machine the most, and that should guide you on the power system that you should be looking for!

Purpose

Finally, consider the reason why you’re getting a pitching machine in the first place.

Since the different design factors above determine the use of the machine, you need to ask yourself questions like:

Will only one person be using this machine or will an entire team practice with it?

Do I need an automatic ball-feeding mechanism?

What kind of pitches (or speeds) am I looking for?

What’s the age of the player/s using this machine?

These are all very useful in determining the purpose of the pitching machine you’re looking for, which can help you make a better decision in choosing one.

Price Point Expectations

We all want a good bargain—and pitching machines are no exception.

While not all of us can afford all the bells and whistles professional players can get with their tools, there are some expectations that we can reasonably fulfill depending on how much cash are we willing to shell out.

Under $2,000

Pitching machines in this category are usually the top of the line for most players outside professional leagues.

The machines in this category can often throw every kind of pitch at every speed imaginable, they will usually require direct power to operate, and they will be built to last for a really long time.

You can expect every machine at this price point to be fully automatic as well.

Under $1,000

This is the average price range for most pitching machines, so the features of this price point will be a little broad.

For the most part, depending on the maker and material; you’ll be looking at a relatively portable, automatic machine that can throw good fastballs.

Machines at this price point offer a good balance between features and price but might be a little lacking in certain things like ball-carrying capacity, and pitch variety.

Under $500

Most of the pitching machines in this price range aren’t automatic, which can be a little iffy for players who are looking to practice by themselves.

But these cheaper models often make up for it by being some of the most portable pitching machines on the market.

Realistic Expectations

Keep the budget in mind when you’re browsing the reviews below, we’ve tried to include a range of products to suit different budgets.

Each pitching machine that we’ve listed is definitely worth the investment at its price point, but just keep in mind that there will be quality differences depending on the price range.

Pitching Machine Reviews

Now that we’ve gotten all the essentials out of the way, here’s our list of the seven best pitching machines available in 2019:

#6 Franklin Sports MLB Super Star Baseball Batter

As we’ve mentioned earlier, it’s the younger players that usually see the most benefit when it comes to pitching machines—and the MLB Super Star Baseball Batter is an excellent way to introduce your kid to baseball.

Whether they’re at the bat or catching the ball, this easy-to-operate machine can help them build the basics that they’ll rely on for the rest of their baseball career.

It requires 4 ‘C’ size batteries to operate, is exceptionally lightweight, portable, and carries a reasonable price tag. This is a great model for kids and young adults.

This hand-fed pitching machine is best used outdoors, though it can also function well inside batting cages.

The throwing head can pivot in all directions for a variety of pitch options, and the three-wheel design can be easily adjusted to throw a variety of pitches.

With a five-year warranty, this is one of the more durable and long-lasting pitching machines on the market.

The downside is that it’s also one of the most expensive models, making it a better investment for a team than as an individual.

It also requires power to work, which can be a dealbreaker for players or coaches who need portability.

5 Tips For Using Your New Pitching Machine

Just buying the pitching machine is only half the work.

You may have the best model money can buy, but if you don’t know how to properly use it, you’re no better off practicing with a friend in their backyard.

Here are some ways that you can get the best use out of your pitching machine:

Tip 1: Keep Regulation Distances In Mind

Depending on your league and game, there are different distances from the pitcher’s mound to home base, and you need to set your pitching machine accordingly.

Your ball settings (including pitch and speed) can be received well or poorly by the batter/catcher depending on the distance set, so always remember how far away or how close the machine needs to be.

Tip 2: Speed And Distance Are Always Related

It’s simple physics: even if the speed of your pitch remains constant, the closer the batter is, the sooner the ball will arrive at their location.

This can create a “strike” zone that can easily slip by most coaches or players that fail to account for this distance without adjusting the speed of the ball.

Since pitching machines can’t really compensate for this distance like players can, it falls on the coach or trainer to make sure that this doesn’t happen.

Tip 3: Mix Up Your Pitches!

One of the reasons why higher-quality pitching machines have the ability to throw different sorts of pitches is to accurately replicate how a real-life pitcher might play.

While it can be tempting to set the machine at a consistent setting to boost your hit rate, real players will often mix up their pitches throughout the game.

So if you want to prepare yourself for a real-life game, try your best to mix up the pitching settings as often as possible.

Tip 4: Maintain Your Machine After Every Game

Whether it’s manual or automatic, pitching machines will need some sort of maintenance every now and then to make sure they’re in top condition.

Remember to check for areas where the ball moves through like the wheels or feeder, and make sure that electronic and moving parts are working as intended.

Your training will only be as good as your equipment—which is why keeping your pitching machine in top shape is crucial.

Tip 5: Wear Protective Gear

This usually goes without saying, but there are still some cases where players can forget to wear things like batting helmets when training with pitching machines. This is a recipe for disaster!

Since each pitch from one of these machines is more or less consistent, it can be tempting to ditch the safety equipment altogether.

But you can never be too careful! Pitching machines throw balls at extremely high speeds, and the impact can be potentially lethal.

It doesn’t matter how confident you are in the consistency of your machine; throwing a helmet on is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Pitching Machine FAQs

Can Any Pitching Machine Be Used For Softball And Baseball?

No.

The two sports are very similar, but there are certain kinds of pitches and speeds that baseball has that softball can’t come close to.

Pitching machines are usually designed for one sport or the other unless otherwise specified in the model’s specs.

My Pitching Machine Doesn’t Seem To Be Throwing Balls As Fast As It Used To

If you find your pitches don’t match the speed that you’ve set (this is easy to check with a radar gun), take a look at discs that the ball goes through.

If your machine has solid wheels, applying sandpaper to achieve friction should do the trick. If your machine has air-filled tires, checking the pressure of the tires.

What Voltages Do Pitching Machines Normally Use?

For both portable and non-portable variants, the usual voltage required for consistent performance and output is 110vAC/1000 watts.

Any less and the machine will start to perform poorly and can even break under the strain.

Do I Need A Practice Field In Order To Use A Pitching Machine?

Not really!

Since you can adjust the speed (and the distance) of the pitches, you can definitely use one in your own backyard.

Just remember to tweak the settings for your environment, and you should be good to go.

Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Spare Battery Pack For My Pitching Machine?

If your model uses battery packs, it’s not really necessary to get extras unless you’re planning on hauling it cross-country or are worried about power issues.

Most battery-powered pitching machines can last for an extended session of training or more before needing to be recharged.

On Choosing The Right Ball

Some machines can function well with any type of ball, especially the ones that are used in Little League games.

Since they’re considered a training device, the focus is primarily on training players to consistently hit the ball.

However, in high school leagues and beyond, it’s an entirely different situation.

Since the machines in these divisions are used a lot more than ones in amateur matches, there’s often a suggested kind of ball—usually from the same brand of the pitching machine—that’s best used with them.

This is to ensure that the performance of each pitch is consistent, and the wear and tear suffered by the machine is reduced.

If in doubt, you can always consult the manufacturer’s website or the instructions that came with your pitching machine to check if it needs a particular type or brand of ball.

Pitching Machine Accessories

Aside from all the essential parts of a pitching machine, there are a few odds and ends you can get to make their use and operation a little easier:

Carrying Bag

For lightweight and portable models (40 pounds and below), a carrying bag is an easy way to lug around your pitching machine.

These models often fold or separate into different parts, which can be cumbersome to carry without the proper bag.

Carrying bags often have space for both the machine and the balls, with some providing spaces for batteries or electronics.

Cover (Feeder Cover)

For auto-feeding models, it’s crucial to get a feeder cover so your machine doesn’t get affected by the elements.

Since most auto-feeders are usually left in the open, getting the proper protective cover can help reduce the wear and tear that most machines experience throughout their lifetime.

Transport Kit

For bigger models that you need to move around, a transport kit is a good investment to make, especially if you find yourself practicing with a team.

Transport kits attach easily to most pitching machines and can be folded or tucked away when not in use.

Conclusion

Again, it’s essential to keep in mind the reasons why you need a pitching machine before you make the decision to purchase one.

Always take into account the budget and needs of the players when it comes to purchasing a pitching machine—that’s the best way to make sure you get the most out of your money’s worth.

With the variety of brands, features, and designs on the market, finding your ideal pitching machine isn’t easy.

But putting in the time and effort into diligent research will definitely pay off on the field.

After all, your game can only be as good as your training, and pitching machines offer some of the best training that money can buy.

Pitching machines can vastly improve the training and performance of any player who wants to take the sport seriously.

Whether they’re used by a team or an aspiring solo player, pitching machines can help you get an edge that takes your game to the next level.